Harold Albrecht

[Democratic Representation Act, December 16th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I listened with great interest and, I must admit, a little bit of amusement to the member when she made some of her points. She was grumbling about an eight month delay on this side of the House in introducing the bill. She also mentioned that she goes to grade five classes and talks about government and that the students ask her why there is such an imbalance.

What was the answer the member gave those grade five classes when her party was in government? The Liberals had 13 years to address this. This discrepancy in riding size did not occur in the last eight months. It occurred over a long period of time and they had a long time to address it. I am wondering what the member's answer was to the grade five classes because right now those grade five classes are all voting members of the Canadian public.

[World Autism Awareness Day Act, December 15th, 2010]

Madam Speaker, it is an honour to have the opportunity to provide a few concluding remarks to this critical public health issue of autism. As I indicated in my earlier remarks, so much has been accomplished over the last 35 years, but much more needs to be done.

I recall very distinctly serving with the Waterloo County School Board in 1978 when autism had recently been identified and to see how the school officials struggled without a grapple with the best way to serve those children. Here we are 32 years later having learned a lot but still having a long way to go.

Our government recognizes that autism spectrum disorders, referred to as autism or ASD, represent a serious health and social issue affecting many Canadian families and individuals from all walks of life.

Many times over the last five years since I have served here in Parliament, and again today, my friend and colleague from Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont has shared his very personal journey with this House. He demonstrated how a family deals effectively with the enormous challenges faced by those dealing with autism. It has been a real honour for me and my colleagues on this side of the House especially, but all members, to have met Jaden, to see the fantastic enjoyment that he gets from life and to experience the joy that he gives to us as members.

I am amazed at the perseverance and tenacity that is needed by every family and community that deals with autism on a daily basis. It is clear that we need to do all that we can to raise awareness and work toward effective support and solutions. That is why the Minister of Health last year declared April 2 would be known as World Autism Awareness Day across Canada.

Today it is an honour to have the opportunity to reiterate our government's commitment by expressing our support for Bill S-211, An Act respecting World Autism Awareness Day.

Over the last several years, our government has invested over $35 million for autism-related research projects through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. In addition, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Department of Health have contributed to improving autism evidence and awareness.

As my colleague from Oshawa noted, CIHR is also supporting a $1.4 million strategic training grant in autism research led by Dr. Eric Fombonne from McGill University, which will contribute to training the upcoming generation of researchers and aim to uncover the mysteries of autism.

As previous speakers have noted as well, there are multiple partners working to address the challenges that come with autism. All stakeholders in ASD want the same thing: better treatments and early diagnosis for those affected by ASD so that ultimately they can enjoy better outcomes.

To this end, our government is working with partners and stakeholders to promote autism awareness. Research and awareness are essential to moving the markers forward. In declaring April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day and supporting Bill S-211, we have further contributed to this important objective.

I want to thank Senator Munson for this important initiative and I urge all members of this House to give their enthusiastic support for this bill. This will give one more glimmer of hope to those families who are dealing with the challenges of autism.

[Situation in Haiti, December 13th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I listened with interest to the member's speech. I am sure that virtually everyone of us in the chamber can remember where we were when we received the devastating news of the earthquake. In fact, one of the first Canadians who was recovered from the rubble was from the Kitchener—Waterloo area, and I will never forget the devastation that it caused for that family.

Now we move on to the more long-term needs, as our colleague reminded us, whether those needs be medical facilities, medical treatment, infrastructure, security or housing. I think all of us recognize as well that no government, be it the Haitian government, Canadian government or any government, can possibly meet all the needs of this situation.

I recently became aware of an NGO in my area, the Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada, that is constructing prefab homes. These homes are made of three inch foam between two slabs of galvanized steel. The panels are about 50 pounds and four people can put up one of these homes in a day.

As we help Haitians get back on their feet with a structure that is pretty well earthquake resistant, also hopefully termite resistant, these are ways we can begin to address outside of government, working in partnership with government, some of the long-term needs of our Haitian brothers and sisters.

Is my colleague aware of any NGOs in his area that do similar projects? The more these kinds of initiatives are put together, possibly working in conjunction with each other, a synergy develops. Is he aware of any similar stories from his area?

[The Environment, December 10th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, the Liberal environment critic seems to be a part-time critic or, as he styles himself, a shadow minister. His leader has taught him a thing or two about that.

After Canadian taxpayers paid his way to attend the UN climate change conference, he was supposed to spend the week there working. However, that was not good enough for the Liberal critic. In fact, he bailed from the conference two days early, not even bothering to wait for Canada's national statement to be delivered before heading to the airport.

While our Conservative government is getting the job done and showing leadership as a clean energy superpower, the Liberals are supporting a position that would cost Canadian jobs and not protect the environment.

Conservative, NDP and Bloc MPs are still at work at the conference, so why is the Liberal environment critic not? Is it because Liberals are not in it for Canadians and are just in it for themselves?

[Points of Order, December 10th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on the same point of order. I would just point out that during his intervention, which was timely, the member said that the way around the rules of the four questions is to have many subsections. I think it is up to us as parliamentarians not to find ways around the rules but to actually live by the rules.

[Youth Violence Prevention, December 7th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, in the wake of three recent deaths by suicide among Waterloo region youth, I salute WAYVE, Working Against Youth Violence Everywhere, which is an innovative violence prevention program founded in response to a brutal murder in 2001.

Students challenge bullying, harassment, racism and discrimination, youth suicide, self-harm, and gang violence. They provide information and support to their peers in classrooms and assemblies, and act as positive role models.

WAYVE is currently active in nine secondary schools and six elementary schools. Over 300 students are leading and more than 10,000 students benefit.

Today WAYVE volunteers across Waterloo region are gathering to share best practices and brainstorm new approaches. I have met with members of the WAYVE team, and they are selfless, motivated and up to the task.

On behalf of Canada's government and the citizens of Kitchener—Conestoga, I thank members of the WAYVE team for their good work. I encourage their continuing efforts and salute their initiative.

[Petitions, December 3rd, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present a petition signed by hundreds of Canadians. The petitioners are calling on the House of Commons and Parliament assembled to support Bill C-510, which would help protect vulnerable women from being aggressively coerced against their will to have abortions.

[Committees of the House, December 3rd, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the 10th report of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics, in relation to the certificate of nomination of Jennifer Stoddart, the nominee for the position of Privacy Commissioner.

Your committee has considered the proposed appointment of Jennifer Stoddart as Privacy Commissioner and reports its support for her appointment.

[Public Works and Government Services, November 26th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, for the past several weeks and again today, the Liberals in this place have been attacking Julian Fantino's character, a man who has dedicated his entire life to serving and protecting the public. Julian Fantino's character and integrity are second to none.

We now know that the Liberals are guilty of hypocrisy and mudslinging of the worst kind.

Would the Minister of Public Safety tell the House what the Liberal Party really thinks of Julian Fantino?

[Criminal Code, November 4th, 2010]

Mr. Speaker, I too want to congratulate my colleague for a great speech. He started out with a very heart-wrenching story, but the problem, as has been pointed out by my colleagues, is that this is not an isolated incident. The government's primary responsibility is to ensure the safety and security of its citizens, so I do applaud my colleague from Red Deer.

My question, as I am listening to this dialogue, is how do the criminals access the gear that they use, the uniforms and the flashing lights? I would like the hon. member to shed some light on how these are so readily available.